Making homes happen

RAF Henlow October 2020 Newsletter 1

About RAF Henlow In 2016 RAF Henlow was identified for disposal. On To help create the best proposals for RAF Henlow, we current plans, RAF Henlow is targeted for vacation by need your help. We want to hear your views on the 2023 and phasing of this has already commenced. issues that affect you, your community and the local Homes , the Government’s national housing area and your throughts and ideas on how you think agency, and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), RAF Henlow should be redeveloped. We want you to the estate expert for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), are be involved from the start and through the life of the working in partnership to shape redevelopment project, providing input that will help shape the proposals for the site. These will include building new proposals for the site. homes, employment opportunities and facilities for the local community. It is one of six sites being progressed We are scheduling a series of engagement events. by the partnership between Homes England and the DIO We had hoped to be able to hold these face to face to develop surplus MOD land across the country. but COVID-19 restrictions mean that we are having to do things differently and this will include events and information being shared online.

Online RAF Henlow Engagement Events

Saturday 31 October 10am-11.45am 1pm-2.45pm Monday 2 November 1pm-2.45pm 6pm-7.45pm Tuesday 3 November 10am-11.45am 6pm-7.45pm

In addition, to keep you informed of what we are doing, and to share your thoughts and ideas, visit rafhenlow.commonplace.is, email us at [email protected], or ring 0800 169 6507. HOMES ENGLAND

How can you get involved? We are at the start of the process and we are holding The event will be recorded and made available online so our first events on 31 October, 2 and 3 November. There if you can’t attend any of the scheduled events, you will will then follow a second set of events which we expect be able to see what was discussed and you will also be to be held in late November/early December, in which able to provide feedback. we will provide feedback from the first round of engagement. While social distancing rules remain, our If you cannot access Zoom, you can use your phone to events will be held online, using Zoom. This is free to use dial in to any of the events and although you won’t then and can be accessed either via a computer, tablet or be able to see what is being presented, you will be able smartphone, just go to www.zoom.com for details. to hear us and take part in the discussion. If you have any difficulties accessing Zoom, we can help you so please call or email us. If you cannot join us online we would be happy to arrange to speak with you on a one-to-one basis, share Each event in October and November will have two the material from the events and provide a feedback parts. The first part will explain who Homes England and form for you to fill in and return to us via a DIO are, how we bring large sites forward, the work that freepost address. we have done so far, what we hope to achieve at RAF Henlow and the programme we are working to. If you would like to participate in one of these events The second part will split attendees into groups for please email the team at [email protected], visit breakout sessions to discuss the key issues as you see rafhenlow.commonplace.is or alternatively phone them and what you think will make RAF Henlow a great us on 0800 169 6507 and we will then send you place. Discussion topics will include, RAF Henlow’s role an invitation. in the local community, the built heritage of the site, local transport connections, community facilities and assets, building homes for the future, employment opportunities and environmental and landscape considerations.

Examples of other Homes England projects The Northern Arc RAF West Sussex has some of the most expensive In Cambridgeshire, at the former RAF Oakington (a much housing in England outside London, and working with larger site) we are building the new town of . Mid-Sussex District Council Homes England has unlocked We agreed with the local authority to build a new road ‘the Northern Arc’ a development of 3,500 new homes, infrastructure before 500 homes had been completed – 30% of which will be affordable. The development will and the link to the A14 is now complete. The first be based on three neighbourhoods, each with their own secondary and primary schools have now been centre providing schools, facilities and retail completed and we are working with partners to better opportunities. The first developer is on site and Homes understand what a town centre should look like in the England has appointed contractors who are starting to 21st century. build the roads necessary to unlock the site when the first homes are being completed to help ensure that the For more information local transport network is not impacted by the rafhenlow.commonplace.is new development. [email protected] 0800 169 6507